TRADITIONAL FOLK DANCES OF

The Philppines
Presented by:
Ancajas, Faizal
Arellano, Kurt Culi, Gian
Baldovino, Gabriel Padua, Nick
Cale, Jimwel Silva, Bill
 The Philippines
has many popular folk dances which have evolved and changed as they have been
passed down from generation to generation. A particular dance might be performed
slightly differently from one region to the next but it remains true to its roots. Have are
some of the most popular dances from the regions.
 The Itik-Itik from
Surigao
Itik-itik is a mimetic folk dance in The Philippines. It originated in the province of Surigao
in Mindanao. In Itik-itik—from the the Tagalog word for "duck"— the dance steps imitate
the movements of ducks among rice paddies and swamplands, such as wading, flying,
and short, choppy teps, as well as the way it splashes water on its back to attract a
mate. According to popular tradition, the dance was created by a lady named Kanang
who choreographed the steps while dancing at a baptimal party. The other guests
copied her movements, and everyone liked the dance so much that is has been pased
along ever since. Itik-itik's current form originated in the Philippines towns of Carrascal,
Catilan, Lanuza, and Carmen, all in Surigao del Sur. Other versions of the dance do
exist, although the Itik-itik Surigaonon remains the most popular. These alternate
versions are found in the Visayas such as Samar, Cebu, and Tibiao.
Itik - Itik
The Tinikling From Leyte
and the Vissayas Regions
Tinkling is a traditional Philippine dance which originated from Leyte during the Spanish
colonial era. The Tinkling movements imitate the movement of the tikling bird as it walks
around through tall grass and between tree branches. People perform the dance using
bamboo poles. The dance is composed of three basic steps which include singles, doubles,
and hops. The Tinkling involves two people hitting bamboo poles on the ground and against
each other in coordination with one or more dancers who step over and in between the poles
in a dance. It looks similar to playing jump rope, except that the dancers perform the steps
around and between the bamboo poles, and the dance becomes faster until someone makes
a mistake and the next set of dancers takes a turn. It is traditionally danced to rondalla
music, a sort of serenade played by an ensemble of stringed instruments which originated in
Spain during the Middle Ages
Tinikling
 The Sayaw sa Bangko from
Pangasinan
Sayazo sa Bangko or Sayaw ed Tapew na Bangko (dance on top a, bench), is a dance
which origins com Pangasinan. Performers dances top of a narrow bench that is normally
six inches wide, inching and hopping from one end to another. Dancers need good
balance as they go through, series of movements that include some impressive acrobatics.
Dancer show skill in staying up the bench as tie exchange places by moving their way
around or the girl thrown in the air while boy moves to the other end. They do not
compete but rather complement each other so that no one falls. This dance traces its roots
back to the areas of Pangapisan, Lingayen, Pangasinan. It is usually performed during
town fiestas.
Looking at Art: The Binasuan from Pangasinan
Dancers carefully balance three half-filled glasses of rice wine on their heads and hands as
they gracefully spin and roll on the ground. The arms are rotated over and under the
shoulder in order to keep the palms facing up so as not to spill the liquid while nevertheless
allowing the radius to cross over the ulna via pronation.
Since the Binasuan inverts the arm through the rotation. it is sometimes given as a
macroscopic physical demonstration of the rotation properties of a spin-½ spinor. As the
liquid never spills, the rotation can all occur within the same plane. Upon a rotation of 2m
radians, the elbow changes between pointing up and down. Upon a rotation of 4r radians,
the pales "doubly covers" the shoulder and the elbow points in its original direction. The
Binasuan is an entertaining dance that is usually performed at festive social occasions like
weddings and birthdays. The dance originated in Bayambang, Pangasinan. And though it's
usually performed alone, it can also become a competition between several dancers.
Sayaw sa Bangko
The Pandanggo sa llaw from
Mindoro
Pandanggo sa Ilaw is a very popular folk dance in
the Philippines. Pandangso si law is similar to a
Spanish Fandango. The phrase sa ilaw is Tagalog for
"in light" and it refers to the three oil lamps that a
dancer has to balance -one on the head and one on
the back each hand. The oil lamp is called tinghoy.
Sometimes, candles in hands are replaced instead of
an oil lamp. It's a lively dance that onginated on
Lubang Island, Mindoro. The music is in 3/4 time and
is usually accompanied by castanets. In the early 18th
century, any dance that is considered jovial and
lively was called Pandanggo.
 The music to which the pandanggo sa ilaw is now commonly danced
was composed by ColAntonio R. Buenaventura, a National Artist for
Music and a native of Bulacan. He wrote the music sometime in the
early 1930's while teaching at the Conservatory of Music at the
University of the Philippines.

There are many versions of this dance and each locality has its own
version. Local dancers have many ways of doing the Pandanggo, but
there is one thing in common between different versions: they have
gay and sprightly figures. It may be danced at any social gathering
and is usually accompanied by clapping. In some places, the musicians
do not stop playing until four to five couples have danced, one after
the other. When one couple tires, another takes its place until there
are no more who want to dance. The musicians play faster and faster
after each repetition until the dancers are exhausted.
 The Pandanggo Oasiwas is similar to the
Pandanggo sa llaw and is typically
performed by fishermen to celebrate a
good catch. In this version, the lamps are
placed in cloths or nets and swung around
as the dancers circle and sway.

Pandanggo is still danced by many people

but mostly in religious rituals and
processions such as the Pandangguhan sa
Pasig, during the procession of St.
Martha, and the Sayaw sa Obando.
Comparison
 The Maglalatik
from Binan, Laguna

The Maglalatik also known as Magbabao is a mock-war dance that depicts a

fight over coconut meat, a highly-prized food. Coconut shell halves are
secured onto the dancers' hands and on vests upon which are hung four or six
more coconut shell halves. The dancers--all male-perform the dance by hitting
one coconut shell with the other-sometimes the ones on the hands, sometimes,
the ones on the body, and sometimes the shells worn by another performer, all
in time to a fast drumbeat.
 The dance is broken into
four parts:
The name of the dance
comes from the Filipino word
Two devoted to the battle
“Latik” which means "fried
and two devoted to
coconut milk curd," a
reconciling. The men of the
coconut product that is used
dance wear coconut shells as
in Filipino cooking,
part of their costumes, and
particularyl in snacks, The
they slap them in the rhythm
Maglalatik is danced in the
with the music
religious procession during
the fiests of Biñan as an
offering to San Isidro de
Labrador, the patron saint
of farmers.
Maglalatik
 The Kuratsa from the
Visayas Regions
The Spanish-influenced Kuratsa or Curacha is described as a dance of courtship and is often performed
at weddings and other social occasions. The dance has three parts. The couple first performs a waltz. In
the second part, the music sets a faster pace as the man pursues the woman around the dance floor in a
chase. To finish, the music becomes even faster as the man wins over the woman with his mating dance
The Kuratsa must be done the amenudo-way; that is, only one couple dances it at a time. Believed to
be a Mexican import (supposedly from La Cucaracha dance typical to
Monterrey region of Mexico) - the Kuratsa is, however, very different in
the manner of execution to the Mexican counterpart. Even the "basic"
Kuratsa music is not based on Mexican or even Spanish melodies but just
bolero-inspired lilting music.
Kuratsa
La Jota Moncadeña from
llocos
The La Jota Moncadeña is adapted by the
Filipinos from an old Spanish dance. It's a
combination of Spanish and Ilocano dance
steps set to Spanish music and castanets. A
more solemn version of this dance is sometimes
used to accompany a funeral procession, but it
is also performed at celebrations.
 La Jota Moncadeña
is one of the most famous
interpretation and adaptation of the
Aragonese Jota dance. People of
Moncada, Tarlac, call it rather by a
different name: Jota Florana. The Jota
Folrana was danced to the me dance
figure is found in another Ilocano
dance, the Ti Liday (which in llocano
means 'sorrow' or grief-stricken")
Ilocano/Yogad bamboo musical instrument ensemble called tallelet. Dance
anthropologist Ramon Obusan said that the Jota Florana was danced to accompany a
bereaved family to the burial of a loved one. The high pitched clicking of the bamboo
clickers is supposed to represent melancholy wails. The slow portion of the dance is in
fact named patay (death) or desmayo (fainting) that is performed to a very slow
marcha funebre. The sa
La Jota Moncadeña
The Kappa Malong-Malong
from Mindanao
The Kappa Malong-Malong or Sambi sa Malong is a Muslim-influenced dance. The
malong is a mbular garment, and the dance essentially shows the many ways it
can he worn. There are men's and women's versions of the dance since they wear
malongs in different ways. The traditional women's version shows this cloth of
countless colorful designs; used mostly as a skirt, woven in many different ways,
depending on the purpose of the wearer. Other ways the women wear malong is
as a shawl, a mantle, or a head-piece. The men s version shows in masculine
rendition, how men don the malong-displaying its use as a sash or waist-band,
shorts or bahag, and a head-gear that can be either functional while working in
the fields, or decorative as a turban.
Malong-Malong
The Pantomina from
Bicol Region
The Pantomina is a traditional Bikol dance. It is a love dance with its movements
mimicking or patronizing the mating or love making of doves or the "salampati"
(Bikol term for dove). It is performed as courtship and wedding dance where the
couple dances and each express love for each other. To the music, they sway
displaying their inner passion, the man moves with running steps after the woman,
and the woman in turn flirts and entices the man to court her. This clearly implies a
rather continued courtship which eventually ends up on bonding with each other.
 Pantomina (Spanish for pantomime) was originally a wedding dance from the
towns of Bicol's Estandarte and Sorsogon subregions. This dance is
traditionally performed during wedding festivities by the couple and their
visitors. The dance is still popular in the Bicol Region even up to this time. This
dance is an important part of the Sorsogon Kasanggayahan Festival held
each October, where it is mainly performed by the elders of the community.

The pantomina is also very popular in the northern part of Samar especially in towns
of Allen and Capul-both directly facing Bicolandia. Traditionally, musicians
accompanying the dancers pause from playing the pantomina music to allow the
dancers to wipe thei perspiration. The wiping off perspiration has become a little
flirty, with the male dancer- as expected offering his own handkerchief for the
woman to wipe herself. The delighted audience would, as expected, tease the
couple (especially if the two are young and unmarried) as doing a "love pantomime"
and the musicians would immediately resume playing the music. After the love
pantomime has waned, the focus of the pantomina returns to the dance itself.
Pantomina
The Habanera Botolena
from Zambales
The Habanera is a folk dance that originated from Cuba. It is also known as
Danza or Danza Habanera. The habanera is a social dance in duple time and it is
usually performed in a ballroom or on a stage. The Habanera Botolena is a
strongly flamenco-influenced dance that comes from Botolan, Zambales.
It combines Filipino and Spanish steps, and is a popular
dance at weddings and includes a procession of the
bride and groom's parents, the bridesmaids, and
groomsmen, as well as an exclusive performance by
the newlyweds. It is also considered a courting dance
in some situations.
The Habanera Botolena
 The Surtido from
Cebu and Samar
Surtido literally means "assortment," and this square dance combines influences of French, Spanish,
and Mexican dance. Traditionally the Surtido is performed by a head couple accompanied by two
other couples who lead all the dancers through various formations that resemble an old-fashioned
quadrille.
The Surtido Cebuano is a square
dance said to have originated in Bantayan, Cebu. It is a cobbling together of Spanish, Mexican, and
French influences along with indigenous elements. Surtido is performed by several pairs of dancers,
with the head pair called cabeceras and the side pairs, costados, guiding the other dancers in varied
quadrille formations. It used to be a dance of long duration performed by a big group to the tune of
beautiful Visayan folk airs. The modern arrangement is livelier and more suitable for dancing by small
groups.
 Surtido Boronganon is a version of the surtido that came
from the town of Borongan, the cabecera of the Eastern
Samar province. Similar to other 'assorted' dances, this
dance portrays the favorite folk and traditional dances from
the town. Each figure is
Unique cause it is in itself a dance. At least five of the
favorite dances are strung together to have the Surtido
Boronganon. The music is similarly exciting and diverse. The
tempo changes from lively and sprightly 2/4 music to lively
Waray melodies in 3/4 time.
Surtido
The Singkil from Maranao
The Singkil is a dance traditionally performed by Single women to attract the
attention of potential suitors. Dancers perform a series of graceful movements
as they step in and out from between bamboo poles which are rhythmically
clapped together. Fans and scarves are often used enhance the dancers’
movements
The Singkil originated from the Maranao people who inhabit the shores of Lake
Lanao. It is derived from a story in the Darangen, the Maranao interpretation of
the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana. The name of the dance itself means "to
entangle the feet with disturbing objects such as vines or anything in your
path." It is a popular dance performed during celebrations and other festive
entertainment. Originally only women, particularly royalty, danced the Singkil,
which serves as either a conscious or unconscious advertisement to potential
suitors.
The Singkil originated from the Maranao people who inhabit the shores of Lake Lanao. It
is derived from a story in the Darangen, the Maranao interpretation of the ancient
Indian epic, the Ramayana. The name of the dance itself means "to entangle the feet
with disturbing objects such as vines or anything in your path." It is a popular dance
performed during celebrations and other festive entertainment. Originally only women,
particularly royalty, danced the Singkil, which serves as either a conscious or
unconscious advertisement to potential suitors.

The lead dancer, in the role of Putri Gandingan (the Darangen name for Sita), graciously
step in and out of closing bamboos poles arranged in either a parallel, rectangular, or
crisscross fashion while manipulating either apir (fans), mosala (scarves), or even just
their bare hands. A kulintang and agung ensemble always accompanies the dance.
 While often erroneously referred to by non-Maranaos as a "Muslim
dance," the Singkil is, in fact, secular in nature, performed by the Ummah
communities of the Maranao and Maguindanao. Initially, the dance was
performed with just one pair of bamboo poles, eventually adopting the
use of two crisscrossing pairs.

The dance is said to have been named after either the leg bracelets or
anklets of silver, nickel, or brass with chiming bells of the same name or
the act of voluntarily or accidentally entangling one's feet in either vines
or tall grass.
Singkil
 The Polkabal
The Polkabal shows some European influence in its steps. The dance is composed
of nine different steps which include various movements such as fluttering,
stepping heel-to-toe, a reenactment of a bull fight, and even a leisurely walk. The
dance got its name from two popular dances in the late 1800s: the polka and
balse (waltz). Though the balse is mentioned in the name of this dance, there is no
single waltz step used in this dance. The steps of this dance are identified as the
luksong uwak (jumping crow), wagayway (fluttering), hardin (garden), punta y
tacon Cheel hoe), corrida (bullfight), paseo (leisure), ensayo (practice),
contragansa (hop-cross), and the contragansa doble (double hop cross).
Polkabal
 La Estudiantina from
Samar and Quezon
La Estudiantina is a Spanish inspired dance of the Philippines. The country was under the rule of
Spain for more them three hundred years, during which tim the local culture was marked,
influenced. Young women who were studying used to be called estudiantina. This dance was
originally performed by women carrying a book or a fan, items associated with female students.
There are many regional versions of this dance.

Philippine dances derived from Spanish influences, such as the La Estudiantina, are classified as
Sayawing Maria Clara (Maria Clara Dances). Maria Clara is the main female character in the
Spanish-era novel Noli Me Tangere by Jose Rizal. Maria Clara also refers to a women's style of
clothing popular during Spanish times, which is worn as traditional Filipino costume even today.
Filipina performers of dances like the La Estudiantina wear Maria Clara-style dresses.
La Estudiantina
 The Pasiguin from Capiz
Pasiguin is a frolicking dance representing fishes getting out from torn fishnets, locally called sibot in
Capiz. The dance is among the discoveries of dance researcher Petronila Suarez. It was presented
by Crisostomo Barrera during the 1979 Annual Philippine Folk Dance Workshop held at the Folk Arts
Theater in the CCP Complex.
The word pasiguin literally means "ring net” which is used for catching fish. This dance is about &
fisherman trying to catch bangus, shrimps, and sugpo with the use of a sibot (fish net), not knowing
it has abib hole in it. This gives him a difficult time because the fish keeps slipping out of the net. The
movements of the girls imitate those of the bangus, shrimps, and sugpo. The girls wear an ankle
length skirt and a kimona while the boys wear kamisa de chino and colored trousers. All dancers are
barefoot. A touch of comic relief adds color the dance as the fishermen finds out in the end that the
ring net had a big hole, enough for the fish to escape
The Pasiguin
 The Cariñosa from Panay
The Cariñosa is a Philippine folk dance of Hispanic origin. It is closely associated with the island of
Panay and the Visavas region in general. The word cariñosa is from the Spanish carinosa meaning
the affectionate one. Most Filipina women can be described as karinyosa. This is a courtship dance
that portrays acts of flirtation between a man and a woman. The dancers perform steps resembling
hide-and-seek movements.
The woman holds a handkerchief or sometimes a fan. The essence of the dance is the courtship
between two sweethearts.
 The dance originated in Panay Island in the Visayan Islands and was
introduced by the Spaniards during their colonization of the Philippines. It is
related to some of the Spanish dances like the bolero and the Mexican dance
Jarabe Tapatio or the Mexican Hat Dance.

Originally, the Cariñosa was danced with Maria Clara dress and Baron
Tagalog for it is a Maria Clara Spanish Dance when it was introduced. In
addition, Filipino wore the patadyong kimona and carisa de chino to reveal
nationalism. (a native dress of the Tagalog regions), camisa (a white sleeve)
or patadyong kimona (a dress of the Visayan of people) and for boys, a
barong Tagalog, and colored pants. Because it is the national dance, the
dancers may wear any Filipino costumes.
Cariñosa
The Mazurka Boholand
from Bohol
Looking at Art: The Mazurka Boholand from Bohol
Mazurka Boholana is a Spanish-inspired ballroom dance from the Bohol province. The
Philippines was under the rule of Spain for more than three hundred years, during which
time the local culture was markedly influenced. Although the mazurka is the Polish national
dance, it was wildly popular throughout Europe in the 19th century and even in colonized
lands overseas. The Philippine dance is ordinarily performed by men and women partners.

Philippine dances derived from Spanish influences, such as the Mazurka Boholana, are
classified as Sayawing Maria Clara (Maria Clara Dances) Maria Clara is the main female
character in the Spanish-era novel Noli Me Tangere by Jose Rival. Maria Clara also refers
to a women’s style of clothing: popular during Spanish times, which is worn as traditional
fis stele at even today. Filipina performers of dances like the Mazurka Boholana each
wearing a Maria Clara.
Mazurka
The Alcamfor from Leyte
Alkamfor is a couples dance from Leyte. In this dance, the girl holds a
handkerchief laced with camphor, a substance that is locally thought to induce
romance. She flirts with the man by waving her scented handkerchief in front of
his face,

The word alkamfor comes from the Spanish alcanfor, Meaning camphor. Filipinos
also spell it as alcamfor. In the Philippines, it refers to mothballs. In the old days,
clothes were kept in wooden chests with a few naphthalene balls to keep away
moths. The camphor gave off what was considered a pleasant scent that
supposedly attracted men. The dance is also called Pandanggo han Payo.
 The dance is a little 'flirty' with the ladies swaying their supposed to be
alkamfor-scented scarves in front of their partners' face. The first figure is a
slow and stately a movement like very formal French court dances such as the
minuet. The third figure is a lively Spanish-influenced movement, probably from
the bolero, the fandango or the jota. The Polish mazurka also appears in one its
figures.

There are different variations on this dance. For instance, in one version, the
kalo nga de faja (hat with hatband) is not used, unlike in the very popular
Aquino version. The alternating fast and slow music is very similar to that which
accompanies another folk dance from the Eastern Visayas - the Gozos of
Borongan, Eastern Samar.
Alcamfor
Thank you
for listening!